Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-21
VOL. XVII: NO. ia.

win herr" asked Texas, as the cards were
shout to be dealt.
"Better ask herr groWled Townsend.
VI only play my cIssm on her against
! your money. You'll AaVe TO Look tn her
! for possession"
! A note WAS hurriediy written 10 Mrs.
Townsend, outlining the proposition and
| asking her sanction.
| "Telf the gentleman" Fsn the euswev
| she gave the messenger "that should
( be pleased to be separated from Mr..
Townsend, but that Mr.. Redmond can
only claim the stakes by going through
he marriage ceremony"
"Judge" Tlannag4n, an in 1uentiaI poll
tfcian, was present, and after 8 hurried
consultation Townsend mace written
admission OF ground for q divorce, on
which Flanagan said he could procurss
separation in very shOrt time.
The announcement, with az engage
ment ring and Texas Toms comsIfments..
was sent back 20 Mrs. Townsend, who
returned the following note:
Thomas Redmond: Under such condi-
tions hope and pray you will win.
BAY TOWNSEND.
"The game is made, gentlemen" said
Tom, with as much Ola smile IS loss of
sleep would permit to circulate on his
haggsrd face, "desl the cards"
Townsend dealt the cards and the novel
game commenced.
Texas captured the ffst ante chipsand
three more with it, on three delces
against tens up.
"She's mine!" he cried. sI ALWAYS
win when / rake the first pot"
Townsend broke out with torrent OF
oaths, and the pair came nearly to blows,
only the Intervention OF the by-standers
causing the game to go on.
The prospective wldoWer played a hard
game. He was wary and careful, and
again he won for time; but again luck
turned against him, and his costly chips,
melted into the hands of the. prospective
groom. With the turn Of the tide Town
send lost his nerve, and in the double
ante and freeZe-out Texas GOODNESS and
bluff told heavily. The 1fty-dollar bits
of ivory travelled across the table one by
one, and seldom came back.
In fourteen hours Townsend called for
a sight for his last $50, and showed down
three kings before the draw.
Texas had aces up.
The remaining monarch failed 20 leave
the deck, but q third ace travelled into
Texas hand.
Townsend staggered to his room, and
roughly ordered mis- wife to f'get out"
81 hope I'll be happier with him than
have been with you," retorted the human
stake, as she obeyed.
But the defeated gambler heard her not.
He was asleep.
Texas only waited to introduce his
winning to Flanagan, and injunct that
gentleman to hurry up the divorce, before
ne also went to sleep. BY the time his
long slumber was over the divorce suit
was well under way. Forty-eight hours
after the final hand was played the twain
were made one flesh by q justice Of the
peace.
A few bottles were cracked with init
mate friends, ana the next day the bridal
tour was commenced in q westerly di-
fectiou.
Townsend went to the station to see
them of, and the tears rolled down his
cheeks ike rain az the parting. Mrs.
Redmond paid no heed to his misery, but
rather laid on the lash In punishment for
the indiguity put on her.
Texas only laughed.
"I'll see you again, Texas" threaten
ingly remarked the bankrupt.
81 don't care - whether yeu-dc Or
not" was the bridegroom's RonchaIant
answer; Cpd advise you not to unless
you learn how to play poker or be more
of man in the meantime"
A good many do.
"In Omaha the pair stopped to cele-
brate," concluded the sport who told
the reporter the story, sand they've been
celebrating so much that guess Toms
winnings are tolerably scarce at present,
all but the woman, he's got her yet, if the
cash has melted"
Redmond was approached by reporter
for confirmation of the story, and he
frankly admitted the truth of the main
features of the story, but would not go
into details. Nor would he say whether
he was likely to regret having "won' or
not.